Self-cleaning fiber optic connection system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9939590-B2
Application number	US-201415031405-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 22, 2014
Priority date	Oct 22, 2013
Publication date	Apr 10, 2018
Grant date	Apr 10, 2018

Abstract

A self-cleaning optical fiber connector system for ensuring dust or contaminants are cleared from an optical connection interface is disclosed. In one aspect, the optical fiber connector system includes a connector joining first and second connectors. The adapter has a main body defining a central opening within which the connectors are received. The connectors each include a fiber optic cable secured by a ferrule. In one aspect, the ferrule defines an airflow passageway that narrows between a second opening and a first opening proximate an end face of the cable optical core and cladding. The connectors are constructed such that, as each connector is being inserted into the connector, an air flow is generated through the ferrule airflow passageway, and optionally through an exhaust airflow passageway in the connector. The generated airflow clears debris from the exposed end faces. Electrostatic precipitation may also be used to aid in clearing dust and debris, alone or in combination with air flow effects.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An optical fiber connector system comprising:
a. an adapter having a main body defining a central opening; and
b. a first connector including:
i. a fiber optic cable having a core and a cladding, the fiber optic cable having a first exposed end face;
ii. a connector main body adapted to be removably received in the adapter main body central opening;
iii. a ferrule having a main body secured to the fiber optic cable and being at least partially disposed within the connector main body, the ferrule defining an airflow passageway;

c. the adapter and first connector being constructed such that, as the first connector is being inserted into the adapter main body, an air flow is generated from a recess within the connector main body and through the ferrule airflow passageway;
d. wherein the airflow passageway extends from a first opening proximate the first exposed end face to a second opening in the ferrule main body and wherein the airflow passageway tapers in a continuous direction from the second opening to the first opening.

2. The optical fiber connector system of claim 1 , wherein the adapter main body includes a receptacle body having a central opening, the receptacle body and adapter main body defining an exhaust air passageway extending from the central opening to an outer surface of the connector main body.

3. The optical fiber connector system of claim 2 , wherein the adapter and the first connector are constructed such that, as the first connector is being inserted into the adapter main body, an air flow is generated from the connector main body recess, through the ferrule airflow passageway, and through the exhaust air passageway.

4. The optical fiber connector system of claim 2 , wherein the ferrule is constructed to be received into the receptacle body central opening.

5. The optical fiber connector system of claim 2 , wherein the receptacle body further includes a sleeve member disposed within the central opening.

6. The optical fiber connector system of claim 5 , wherein the sleeve member includes one or more apertures forming a portion of the exhaust air passageway.

7. The optical fiber connector system of claim 1 , wherein the ferrule airflow passageway includes a plurality of airflow passageways.

8. The optical fiber connector system of claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of airflow passageways extends from a first opening proximate the first exposed end face to a second opening in the ferrule main body.

9. The optical fiber connector system of claim 8 , wherein the first opening is smaller than the second opening.

10. An optical fiber connector system comprising:
a) an adapter having a main body defining a central opening; and
b) a first connector including:
i) a fiber optic cable having a core and a cladding, the fiber optic cable having a first exposed end face;
ii) a connector main body adapted to be removably received in the adapter main body central opening;
iii) a ferrule having a main body secured to the fiber optic cable and being at least partially disposed within the connector main body, the ferrule defining an airflow passageway;

c) the adapter and first connector being constructed such that, as the first connector is being inserted into the adapter main body, an air flow is generated from a recess within the connector main body and through the ferrule airflow passageway;
d) wherein the adapter main body includes a receptacle body having a central opening, the receptacle body and adapter main body defining an exhaust air passageway extending from the central opening to an outer surface of the connector main body;
e) wherein the ferrule is constructed to be received into the receptacle body central opening;
f) wherein the connector main body defines the recess at a first end through which the ferrule extends and wherein the receptacle body is received at least partially into the connector main body recess.

11. An optical fiber connector system comprising:
a) an adapter having a main body defining a central opening; and
b) a first connector including:
i) a fiber optic cable having a core and a cladding, the fiber optic cable having a first exposed end face;
ii) a connector main body adapted to be removably received in the adapter main body central opening;
iii) a ferrule having a main body secured to the fiber optic cable and being at least partially disposed within the connector main body, the ferrule defining an airflow passageway;

c) the adapter and first connector being constructed such that, as the first connector is being inserted into the adapter main body, an air flow is generated from a recess within the connector main body and through the ferrule airflow passageway;
e) wherein the adapter main body includes a receptacle body having a central opening, the receptacle body and adapter main body defining an exhaust air passageway extending from the central opening to an outer surface of the connector main body;
f) wherein the receptacle body further includes a sleeve member disposed within the central opening;
g) wherein the sleeve member is configured as a collection surface electrode.

Assignees

• Commscope Connectivity Spain Sl
• Commscope Connectivity Spain Sl

Inventors

• Gatnau Navarro Jorge
• Maqueda Gonzalez Maria
• Blanch Morella Montserrat
• Mateo Ferrus Rafael
• Pelai Torija Jaime

Classifications

• G02B6/3825

  with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs · CPC title

• G02B6/3867

  comprising air venting holes · CPC title

• G02B6/3874

  using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules · CPC title

• G02B6/3845

  ferrules comprising functional elements, e.g. filters · CPC title

• G02B6/3866 Primary

  Devices, tools or methods for cleaning connectors (cleaning in general B08B) · CPC title